Related Articles

From cutting boards to islands, countertops to dining tables and fireplace hearths, a butcher block is seen in one form or another throughout the world. The thick strips of wood glued together create a hard, durable surface that works well in kitchen settings, and can offer a wide variety of colors. When designing your own table, think about the wood and how it relates to use in a table setting to get your best results.

Wood Types

The type of wood you use not only affects the color of the butcher-block segments as they are bonded together, but also influences where you use the woods. Maple, cherry, walnut and beech are all common hardwoods used to create butcher-block tables and cutting boards and are hard enough to be used in any setting. Softer woods, such as pine or cedar, are viable only in areas you know never see much use, such as decorative end tables in a living room setting. When selecting your wood, remember that it cannot be stained in dining and kitchen settings, as the stain soaks into the wood and makes it unsafe for use as an eating surface or for cutting raw meat.

Pattern

All woods have different grains, and how those grains are displayed greatly changes the look of your table. One way to lay out butcher-block tables is with the sections of wood running lengthwise down the table. Another option is to switch it so that the sections are running from side to side across the width of the table. Yet another option is to take the sections and cut them down into smaller cubes at the thickness of your desired tabletop and then place them so that the inside sections of the wood are facing up, making a checker-board pattern.

Thickness

Thickness is entirely up to personal preference. As a general rule, butcher-block wood is rarely less than 1 1/2 inch in thickness (and can be square or rectangular) and is commonly sold in long strips that are cut to length according to the table. However, if you are building your table from your own material, make the overall thickness of the cubes whatever you want. There is flexibility in custom construction, and you can go as high as 3 inches or even more if you want to create a heavy, solid wooden slab of a table thicker than what is traditional.

Table Construction

The process of putting together butcher-block strips requires only a working space and some general tools. Cut everything down with a table saw or circular saw and sand with paper or a machine. Use clamps with rubber or some other type of soft tip to hold the pieces of block together after you apply the glue. For best results, do only a few sections at a time, allowing ample time for the glue to dry while the wood is clamped tight. When finished, add detail work, such as scribing the edges and sanding and polishing the top. Check the wood glue you purchase to make sure it is applicable for cutting boards and dining surfaces, as not all wood glues are meant to be used for such applications.

About the Author

Tim Anderson has been freelance writing since 2007. His has been published online through GTV Magazine, Home Anatomy, TravBuddy, MMO Hub, Killer Guides and the Delegate2 group. He spent more than 15 years as a third-generation tile and stone contractor before transitioning into freelance writing.